The Dutch bass, Jelle Draijer (Drayer), was born to a family of musicians, but he initially decided to study English and history. However, his parents were both professional singers and Jelle Draijer early started to also have lessons of singinging with his aunt, Heleen Draijer, deciding in 1974 to enter the Conservatory of Amesterdam. In 1977 he became a professional singer as a member of the Chamber Choir of Holland. At the same time that he continued to study with his aunt.